A Matter of Honor

by Abigail Reynolds

  “Perhaps he thought Lord Matlock would not acknowledge his marriage,” said Darcy bluntly. “At least his children are legitimate in India.”

  Lady Matlock’s eyes narrowed. “Darcy, it may have passed your notice that I do have some very slight influence over my husband. Richard should have brought his concern to me. He ought to have done the same with this little matter of yours. I am quite cross with him.”

  Darcy rolled his eyes. “I will acknowledge your very slight influence over your husband, similar to Beau Brummel’s very slight influence over men’s fashions, but Richard had no reason to think you would support him in this.”

  The countess turned her gaze on Elizabeth with a quiet sigh. “My dear Mrs. Darcy, it is my fervent hope that your influence may someday convince your husband that, in the natural order of things, mothers love their children. Would I have preferred to see Richard married to an Englishwoman? Yes, because I would wish his life to be an easy one. But since he has married an Indian woman, I will do my best to make that work and to provide opportunities for my grandchildren. My youngest son ran off last year because he was so unhappy with his life, and I have not heard a word from him since. I do not intend to allow that to happen to my remaining children.”

  Elizabeth’s eyes were suspiciously shiny. Given how tearful she been recently, Darcy tried for a quick change of subject. “So you have resolved matters for Richard, Mr. Bennet, Mrs. Collins, and your daughter’s engagement. Dare I assume you have a plan to save the government?” he asked lightly.

  She gave him a severe look. “Some idiocy is beyond even my ability to amend, but I am planning a ball to take place here Tuesday next. If you have other fixed plans, pray be so kind as to change them.”

  Either the concussion was rearing its ugly head again, or his aunt had said something completely nonsensical. Certainly his head was starting to ache. “You will have to forgive me if I fail to understand how a ball in Edinburgh will support the government.”

  She beamed at him. “It is to celebrate your marriage, of course. Given the government’s current unpopularity, that foolish scheme of Lady Catherine’s could bring down my husband and perhaps even the Prime Minister. Threatening a poor innocent girl, tearing her from her family, falsely accusing a landed gentleman – why, the papers would love to get hold of this story and use it to destroy your uncle. Sooner or later someone will give it to them.”

  Elizabeth said slowly, “And, since some people might question whether his signature truly was forged, you must show it to be untrue by demonstrating your utter delight at welcoming me to your family, even going so far as to travel all the way to Scotland and arrange a ball for us.”

  “Very insightful, my dear. By the by, Darcy, if Lady Catherine somehow manages to smuggle out a letter to you, pray ignore it. My husband has had her declared incompetent. She is now under his guardianship and forbidden to leave Rosings under pain of being sent to Bedlam.” She related the tale as if there were nothing unusual about an earl’s sister being reduced to such straits. “Now, do tell me all about your wedding.”

  Darcy began to relax as Elizabeth managed to relate a summary of their marriage that was mercifully devoid of magistrate’s officers and highwaymen.

  Towards the end of the visit, Lady Matlock said quietly, “Darcy, I was most grateful to receive your letter about Jasper.”

  Elizabeth’s eyes widened.

  Darcy said hastily, “I thought you would want to know my friend had reported that Jasper was well.”

  “Have you heard anything further? Do you know if he plans to return home?”

  Darcy said carefully, “Jasper? I doubt even he knows his own plans.”

  She nodded sadly, and said to Elizabeth, “Forgive me. It is terribly rude of me to discuss someone you do not know. My youngest son ran off last year and I have been sick with worry about him. Darcy has always been the one he turns to in times of trouble, and now I do the same in hope of news of my son.”

  Elizabeth said in a slightly choked voice, “Darcy has mentioned Jasper to me with fondness.”

  “I am glad of that.” The countess fell silent.

  “Your ladyship,” said Elizabeth with sudden determination. “I wonder if I might persuade you to join us tonight while we attend a play at the Theatre Royal. We are very proud of our theatre, and it would give me great pleasure to show it to you, and to have the opportunity to become better acquainted with you.”

  When his aunt looked taken aback at this rather forward invitation, Darcy added, “I hope you will consider it. Elizabeth’s aunt and uncle have been patrons of the theatre since it began, and it is the center of Elizabeth’s life here. I would be most grateful if you would consider it.” Hopefully she would hear this as a plea for her to lend her aristocratic imprimatur to the theatre. “And I would add to the desire to spend more time together. Elizabeth was given such a very poor impression of our family owing to Lady Catherine’s extortion, and I am eager for her to have the opportunity to see that you are different.”

  “Oh, very well. But if I go to the theatre, I expect you to have a smile on your face during the entire ball,” said Lady Matlock severely.

  “Madam, we have an agreement.”

  AS THEY CROSSED THE vestibule of the Theatre Royal, Lady Matlock said, “I hope this performance lives up to your expectations. I have seen Romeo and Juliet a great many times.”

  Elizabeth said, “I daresay this will be a most memorable experience for you.”

  Darcy steeled himself. It was now or never. “Did you know Jasper always had a particular dream of what he wished he could do, if he were free to do anything in the world?”

  “Of course,” said Lady Matlock with a smile. “He wished he could be an actor.” She stopped suddenly and her smile disappeared.

  Darcy had never seen that look of naked pain on his aunt’s face before. He found himself unable to speak.

  “Exactly,” said Elizabeth briskly. “Tonight you will not only see him act, but you will also step into Jasper’s world. We will be watching the play from the actors’ box. I hope you will not mind if I introduce you as his aunt, Mrs. Fitzpatrick, since that is the name he uses, and he has told everyone here his parents are dead.”

  “Whatever you wish,” said Lady Matlock faintly.

  Elizabeth added, “While we are on the topic of shocking behavior by family members, I should mention that my aunt is playing Lady Capulet.”

  “Your aunt?”

  “Yes. Astonishingly enough, I met Jasper through my aunt, long before Darcy came to Scotland. It is a very small world. Here we are.”

  Darcy held open the curtain to the box as his aunt and Elizabeth walked through. There were several other people there tonight, as well as Mr. Siddons. Perhaps he should have insisted on a private box after all.

  Elizabeth did not hesitate. “Mrs. Fitzpatrick, may I present to your acquaintance Mr. Siddons, our theatre manager and the son of the great Sarah Siddons? Mr. Siddons, Mrs. Fitzpatrick is our Romeo’s aunt.”

  Mr. Siddons said, “You must be exceedingly proud of your nephew. He is one of the most talented actors I have had the pleasure of working with.”

  Elizabeth said with a smile in her voice, “This will be the first time Mrs. Fitzpatrick has seen her nephew perform.”

  Mr. Siddons smiled widely. “You are in for a treat, then. I hope you brought several handkerchiefs. I have seen grown men weep at his final scene.”

  Elizabeth held up her bulging reticule. “I am prepared, although I must say that Jasper does not always make me cry these days. Of course, I have watched him do it dozens of times.”

  Lady Matlock asked Darcy quietly, “Does he know I am here?”

  “No,” Darcy whispered. They had warned Mrs. MacLean, but not Jasper. “Elizabeth thought it might affect his performance. He was planning to tell you at Christmas, but it is better for you to see him perform first. You will understand better afterwards.”

  The look she gave him suggested she wou
ld have words with him afterwards, too. Would she be as affected by Jasper’s performance as everyone else, or would she only see the potential scandal? Had this been a terrible mistake?

  He had to do what he could for Jasper’s sake. “He has been living on his salary of two pounds a week since July. He blacks his own boots. He spends every spare moment practicing his lines. No drinking, no petticoat chasing, no gambling. He lives for this.”

  Her lips tightened. “Have you known about this all along?”

  Darcy leaned closer to her. “Not at all. I came to Edinburgh to look for Elizabeth. I was shocked to discover him here.”

  The curtain began to open. Now it was up to Jasper.

  JASPER HELD UP ROMEO’S vial of poison, his expression agonized. “Here’s to my love!” He quaffed the liquid, dropped the vial, and clutched his chest. “O true apothecary, thy drugs are quick. Thus with a kiss I die.” He pressed his lips to Juliet’s, gasped and slowly collapsed.

  Elizabeth stole a look at Lady Matlock. At first glance she appeared to be unmoved, but there were tears sliding down her cheek. That had to be a good sign.

  Elizabeth tiptoed out of the box and quietly made her way to the backstage door. No one noticed except Darcy, who was expecting it. The audience’s attention was riveted on the stage.

  She stole through the door and down into the wings. On stage, the prince brought together Montague and Capulet, while the bodies of Romeo and Juliet lay behind them. She waited through the last few speeches and the thunderous applause. After the final curtain call, Elizabeth caught Jasper’s hand. “I must speak to you.”

  He followed her off stage. “What is the matter?”

  She said, “Nothing. You made your mother cry.”

  He glanced from one side to the other and lowered his voice. “Is this Richard making trouble? If he wrote and told you that, don’t believe him. My mother never cries. Not ever.”

  With a broad smile, Elizabeth said, “You are in for a new experience, then. I assure you, she cried over Romeo’s death.” She pulled him after her.

  “Wait! My mother is here?” His voice rose until it was practically a squeak.

  She looked back over her shoulder. “Yes. We found out today she was in Edinburgh and brought her here to see how brilliantly you act. Now come, or the audience will catch us and we will never reach her!” She had to tug him along, but he did not resist.

  He stopped short outside the actors’ box. “I cannot do this,” he moaned.

  “Of course, you can.” Elizabeth raised his hand as if he were holding a sword. “Once more unto the breach. Say it.”

  He shifted from one foot to the other. “Once more unto the breach.” He pulled aside the curtain as decisively as King Henry would have.

  Mr. Siddons announced, “And here is our Romeo himself!”

  Lady Matlock looked up with astonished, red-rimmed eyes and cast herself against her son’s doublet-covered chest.

  Jasper appeared too stunned to speak at first, but finally murmured, “Mother, I am all over greasepaint and sheep’s blood.”

  Lady Matlock stepped back without urgency and took hold of both his hands. Her voice tremulous, she said, “You have done it. You have found your wings.”

  “Once more unto the breach,” murmured Elizabeth.

  Jasper straightened his shoulders. “Yes. Yes, I have.”

  Lady Matlock’s smile glowed.

  Mr. Siddons cleared his throat. “Mrs. Fitzpatrick, may I offer a word of advice? Under all that greasepaint, your nephew is as white as a sheet, waiting on tenterhooks to hear your opinion of his performance.”

  Lady Matlock cast a puzzled glimpse at Darcy.

  Elizabeth pointed at Jasper. “That nephew.”

  “Oh, yes.” Lady Matlock managed to don a regal air despite her red eyes and the blotches of sheep’s blood on her dress. “Until tonight, I have not shed a tear in public since I was four years old. I complained all the way here about their dragging me to see Romeo and Juliet which I have seen a dozen times with the best actors at Drury Lane and Covent Garden. You outshone them all.”

  Jasper’s smile bloomed into brilliance.

  Darcy managed to find his voice. “This has been a surprise for both of you. Perhaps you would like a few minutes together before Jasper has to prepare for the second play.”

  Jasper swallowed hard. “Yes, but first I must tell Mr. Siddons something in private. He gave me this opportunity, and I want to tell him the truth.”

  “What?” asked Mr. Siddons. “Oh, that. I do not care if your father is the Prince of Wales or a gin-soaked beggar in the gutter. All I care about is whether you can act. As it happens, you can.”

  Jasper raised his chin. “Thank you, sir.”

  Mr. Siddons held up a finger. “Actually, I do care about one thing because I have money riding on it. Are you the son of a rich tradesman, an aristocrat, or someone else?”

  Lady Matlock said in her haughtiest voice, “Jasper’s father is in the House of Lords.”

  “Ha! I win!” Mr. Siddons exulted, rubbing his hands together. “Jamieson thought you were a nabob, but I said that lad is an aristocrat down to his bones.”

  “Anyone who has seen him play Henry V could have told you that,” pronounced Aunt Emmeline from the entrance to the box. She was still dressed as Lady Capulet, but had scrubbed off her greasepaint. “Jasper, my boy, you should be backstage changing your costume. Lizzy, why do you not bring your guest back to the house until Jasper is done? I will be along shortly, as I am not in the next play.”

  Lady Matlock said, “That is kind of you, but I would prefer to watch Jasper perform.”

  Elizabeth shook her head. “He will not be able to focus now that he knows you are here. That is why we did not tell him.”

  Jasper shot her a look of profound relief.

  ON THE WAY TO AUNT Emmeline’s house, Elizabeth said, “Your ladyship, I must beg your forgiveness for my unmannerly insistence on taking you to the theatre tonight. I truly do know better, and only my affection for Jasper, and the hope that it might be easier for him if you were to see him perform, could make me behave in such an odd manner.”

  Lady Matlock, apparently beginning to recover from her shock, said, “You are quite forgiven, especially since you care about Jasper. I will admit it gave me some concern about the sort of wife Darcy had found himself, and I am glad to learn it is not characteristic of you.”

  “I thank you. You would have learned of his acting soon in any case, but this seemed the perfect opportunity to let you see what he has accomplished,” Elizabeth replied.

  Darcy chuckled. “That, and because my lovely wife felt guilty when she saw how worried you were about Jasper, knowing she had seen him a bare hour earlier.”

  “Well, yes,” Elizabeth admitted.

  Lady Matlock patted her hand. “It was good of you, my dear. I am very glad you took mercy upon me.”

  After their arrival at the house, Lady Matlock retired briefly to take advantage of the services of a lady’s maid. When she arrived in the drawing room wearing one of Aunt Emmeline’s shawls, she said, “This has been an instructive evening. Your aunt’s maid seemed completely unsurprised to be faced with removing greasepaint and stains from sheep’s blood. I doubt my own maid could have done as well.”

  Elizabeth smiled. “It is a hazard of the actor’s trade. I will warn you that greasepaint stains are almost impossible to remove completely. Even Jasper complains of it, and he almost never complains.” She spread her hands. “Darcy and I have spent hours discussing the Jasper he knew and the one I know, and it is impossible to believe we are talking about the same person. He is so very sunny-natured and content here.”

  Lady Matlock’s social mask slipped. “He was a sunny child, full of life and affection for everything, until the world became too much for him. Once he was in the schoolroom, he seemed to fail at everything he put his hand to, and the joy slowly seeped away from him. When he despaired, I used to tell him he would find
his wings someday and soar over his troubles.”

  “He did,” Darcy said. “It is fragile, though. After I first found him, the slightest hint of haughtiness or disapproval or even formal manners would bring back sullen, angry Jasper in the blink of an eye. If you find my manners when he is present to be sadly deficient, that is why.”

  Lady Matlock inclined her head. “I thank you for the hint. Tell me, was it a coincidence tonight’s play was Romeo and Juliet?”

  “It was just what was playing tonight, and one of Jasper’s best parts,” said Elizabeth. “He only plays a few leading roles so far, but it is a mark of his unusual talent that such a new actor should be playing them at all.”

  “I see. I wondered if it might be a suggestion that our family should avoid playing the Capulets to the theatre’s Montagues.”

  Aunt Emmeline chose that moment to enter. “An excellent interpretation, and I wish I could claim it. Alas! It did not cross my mind. I am sorry I could not be here to welcome you on your arrival. Jasper will be here in another hour or so.”

  “Am I to understand that he lives here?” asked Lady Matlock with a hint of disapproval.

  “Yes, he rents one of the bedrooms. For theatricals, there is nothing unusual about this arrangement. I often host visiting actors.”

  “He was fortunate to find such a pleasant place to live,” the countess said pointedly.

  Aunt Emmeline laughed. “It was not only good fortune. I was once a gentleman’s daughter and I remember my first acting job. I had no idea how to find a room to rent or how to manage my needs on a pound a week. I recognized how overwhelmed he was when he arrived, and thought I could make his transition a little less painful. I have not made it too easy for him, though. He has to care for his room and his clothes himself. The servants do not help him.”

  “It was kind of you. Is it true, then, that everyone recognized he was a gentleman?”